New Years Eve 2015

Many thanks to you all for all your support, reading my waffle, your lovely comments and generally just dropping in! I really appreciate you!

May stars shine always over us and 2016 be a kind year for everyone, full of hope. Whatever you work for, hope and dream may it come to fruition.

Whatever you're up to this New Year have fun, love, hug, kiss 

and stay safe and true to you, XXXX

Brighter Outlook

Hi there! Hope you have enjoyed the type of Christmas you hoped for?

 I had a lovely time, particularly as I have my Grandson now, a new little one, now 13 months old, totally enthralled with all the new things to look at and make a beeline for! Unfortunately I now have Laryngitis, singing and talking being the culprit!!

This morning I opened the back door to find the torrential rains have dissipated, leaving behind extremely strong winds, the type that blows everything all around the garden.......Hurricane Frank! But then amongst it all I saw this! A beautiful pink rose that either I have not noticed before or has sprung overnight. It really stood out after all the devastating weather experienced.

We are lucky, we live high on the moors and the water continued past our house along with stone and rock. I do hope you have not been one of the people who sadly have had to fight to keep family, pets, homes and belongings safe. So many people in Cumbria, Yorkshire, Lancashire and Manchester spent Christmas Day trying to  keep water from their homes or baling water out of their homes, having to leave their homes. Absolutely devastating.

& so, I saw the rose. I like to think it is a sign. A sign of brighter days (& better weather) to come :-)

Back Soon Lovely People!
XX

A Little Bit Of Me Time.....

On Sunday I attended a 2 hour Meditation at my Pilates Studio. It was a wonderful 2 hours, which left me feeling utterly refreshed and revitalised.
Sue had set the room out beautifully, all of us sat in a circle of yoga mats, pillows and blankets, the room cosy and warm - sadly I had left my phone in the car so didn't get any photos. There were little trees with fairy lights, lots of candles and beautiful music.
The meditation was Yoga based, which I have not done for a couple of years it also incorporated the Winter Solstice, bringing the light and warmth in, saying goodbye to the darker days.
We started by chanting a Peace Invocation, something I have never done before, the words are
below.

We had to start slowly to say the Sanskrit, gradually increasing pace until it flowed from our tongues! The chant completed we  focussed on grounding the Chakras, followed by some strong yogic poses, Warrior!

Beneath the trees were envelopes, we each were to pick one; inside two slips of paper, one to write on what you hope to take forward with you into 2016 and one to write what you wish to leave behind. These were then to go home with Sue to be placed on a fire.

Lighting of a candle - this was done in a cold dark room, then brought back into the studio, again the symbolism of  light replacing dark, warmth replacing cold. We all placed our candles onto a tray in the middle of our circle, focussing on the dancing flame of our individual candle, eventually closing our eyes, if we were lucky, seeing colour, which I did and only can when I am thoroughly chilled :-)

Finally, we got to lie down for relaxation, I could hear Sue's voice drifting gently away..........when I sat up, everyone was already sat up, ooopppsss. This is my body, telling me I need sleeeeeep!!

Finally, we were presented with a little gift from Sue. I have waited until I was on my own to open mine, I have the perfect time now whilst Mr. & Son walk the pooch. Oooohhhh, the candle that we had lit, contained within, along with a gorgeous smelling soap of lavender and patchouli, Pukka tea to enjoy with a Ferrero Rocher chocolate. Perfect. The whole session was a gift from Sue to 'us' and it is one I am so grateful for and has set me up for all that Christmas may throw at me! Thank you Sue, X

I hope wherever you are, you are at peace and enjoy the kind of Christmas you hope for.
Lots of Love, thank you for being here,
XX

& So, This Is Christmas

& what have I done?

I've wrapped presents beautifully, using a mixture of papers including scrunchy brown paper courtesy of Ikea (when I bought new crockery!) I'm all for recycling ;-) Love the crinkled effect once ironed!

Tried to buy consumable gifts; food, drink, toiletries, candles, useful items, not clutter!!

Shopped local and Fairtrade as much as possible; smaller shops struggle against big websites and stores - you know who I'm talking about!!

Took Sebby to see Santa for the first time, completely under awed, much preferring the lights!

Took my Nephew to the theatre to see 'Twas The Night Before Christmas'

Baked three christmas cakes - currently waiting in the kitchen to be iced, whoops; 1.00pm on Christmas Eve, best get a spurt on!

Meditated - used my Headspace daily!

Drunk cocktails with friends.....

Best of all, due to recovering from my hysterectomy, I have had the most chilled week, with no work pressure. Usually I cover the service I work for until 5.00pm Christmas Eve! It's been nice to have lazy mornings spent with my husband and Son home from Uni.

So, what have you done? What are you trying to get done? 

I wish you luck, whatever it is! XX

Around Here Lately

Oh my goodness. I've not been here for a while. Just wanted to drop in & say "Hi!" I hope all your plans for this Festive Season are going well. 

I've been suffering from insomnia - I was warned I would go straight into menopause following my Hysterectomy, whereas usually it is a slow onset, it has been headlong. They warn you about the hot sweats (around 30 to 40 a day currently) but not about how that affects your sleep. I am mentally and physically drained. Not good......hoping to start HRT next week. Bring. It. On

Luckily I have been able to embrace this wonderful season slowly, I have written Christmas cards (next year I think I shall buy a goat instead of sending cards!!), instead of the usual frenzied wrapping I am just wrapping a few presents a day, I have the first of three christmas cakes in the oven and am sat here nursing a cup of lemon and ginger tea, the dog at my feet and the sweetest little tree with its twinkling lights turned on to enjoy. It's 6am.....

This year I bought some gorgeous christmas cards from Michaela Gogova, a lovely lady who I met at my Sister In Laws hen party a couple of years ago. You know when you just meet someone and hit it off? Becoming Facebook friends, watching as she has flourished, showing works in London Galleries, Liberty purchasing some of her designs, posters on the Underground and now a student again at Central St. Martins. Her designs are simple forms but with the most intricate detail added, often with hidden words (spot them!) Love them! Hoping for a t-shirt for my birthday.......

 My Daughter and Sister share the same birthday. Both Sagittarians. Both fiery. My Daughter celebrated her 21st this time, I saw this card and thought the words were perfect advice for a 21 year old - maybe for me too! In fact, everyone ;-)

& for my Sister, this from A Two Pipe Problem - She loves her GIN! First seen on the lovely Jen's blog Little Birdie 

Whatever you are doing, I hope you manage to relax this weekend!
Thanks for dropping by, I really do appreciate it, XX